The forum, themed “Sustaining WSIS Vision with Multistakeholder Synergy in Nigeria,” has gained partnership with premier organisations such as the NCC, Digital Realty, IHS Nigeria, MTN Nigeria, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Upperlink Limited, and the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), as well as the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG).

This collective backing underscores the forum’s critical role in fostering multi-stakeholder synergy to drive Nigeria’s digital economy, secure national infrastructure, and promote inclusive innovation.

The event will be presided over by industry veteran Dr. Olusola Teniola (hon), who will deliver the Chairman’s Opening Speech.

The agenda is designed for high-level impact, featuring the presentation of the “Custodian of the Decade” award, followed by a robust panel session focused on “Sustaining WSIS Vision with Multistakeholder Synergy in Nigeria.”

Additionally, the forum will host an insightful breakout session on “Women in Digital Space and Phishing,” led by Barr. (Mrs) Uzoamaka Onumonu, Secretary of DNS WomenNG. These sessions aim to tackle critical aspects of digital rights, data protection, and the leveraging of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for growth.

“Achieving sustainable internet governance and digital trust requires an intentional alignment of regulation and infrastructure,” noted Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, Group Executive Editor of ITREALMS Media Group and Lead Convener of the NDSF.

“We are delighted to have the robust support of critical ecosystem drivers, including NLNG, whose participation reinforces the vital importance of multi-stakeholder dialogue in advancing our digital landscape.”

The 17th milestone edition of the NDSF invites stakeholders from civil society, academia, the tech innovation community, and women in tech to participate in the advocacy windows presented at this year’s forum.

The event is endorsed by ALTON, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), DNS Women Foundation in Nigeria as well as the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) among others.

Chief Onyekwere, who was represented by the Managing Director of Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), Mr. Muhammed Rudman, is widely celebrated as the ‘Father of the Nigeria Internet,’ was recognized as the DigitalSENSE Africa Innovator of the Decade. Dr. Olufuye was honored as the 2025 DigitalSENSE Africa Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) Ambassador of the Year.

Both luminaries were then formally inducted into the DigitalSENSE Hall of Fame during the forum, which was hosted by DigitalSENSE Africa in collaboration with its partners and powered by ITREALMS Media group.

According to Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke, Lead Consulting Strategist for DigitalSENSE Africa, these accolades celebrate profound and lasting contributions to Nigeria’s digital evolution.

He recalled that Chief Onyekwere, an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and a Fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society (FNCS), is a highly respected ICT leader with over three decades of experience. An alumnus of the University of Ife, Harvard Business School, and the University of Maryland (specializing in cybersecurity).

Chief Onyekwere’s most significant achievement is founding Linkserve in 1996, Nigeria’s first Internet Service Provider (ISP).

This pioneering effort earned him the OON award in 2007. Under his leadership, Linkserve introduced groundbreaking technologies like dial-up, VSAT for broadband, Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) networks, and hosting services.

His influence extends across key digital infrastructure initiatives. Since 2007, he has served as the pioneer chairman of the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), instrumental in developing West Africa’s largest Internet Exchange Point, significantly reducing network latency nationwide.

He also served as the immediate past chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) from 2013 to 2023, contributing immensely to domain administration and governance.

Earlier in his career, as Managing Director/CEO of SAAP-TECH LTD (1987-1997), Onyekwere founded the company, deploying banking solutions and securing distributorships for major ICT brands.

Chief Onyekwere’s numerous accolades include “Internet Personality of the Year” (2008) and the “PATHFINDER AWARD – INTERNET” (2004). He has also consulted for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Beyond his corporate achievements, Chief Onyekwere is an ordained Elder of the Methodist Church of Nigeria and a Knight of John Wesley (KJW), actively promoting societal advancement through initiatives like designing and deploying an ICT curriculum for over 200 primary schools, creating 699 jobs, and advancing digital literacy.

Equally, Dr. Jimson Olufuye, who notably chaired the 2025 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa Forum on IG4D, is a distinguished Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professional with over three decades of experience whose leadership has profoundly impacted the global and local digital landscape.

Dr. Olufuye’s career is marked by significant achievements, including founding the Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA), a pivotal organization dedicated to advancing ICT in Africa, bridging the digital divide, and fostering innovation. His expertise has earned him international recognition, including serving on the UN Secretary-General’s IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) and the Netmundial+10 Steering Committee.

These roles have allowed him to shape global discussions on internet governance, digital development, and cybersecurity.

A highly certified professional, Dr. Olufuye holds credentials in PRINCE2 (Project Management), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), and CRISC (Certified Risk and Information Systems Control). These certifications underscore his proficiency in managing complex ICT projects and adhering to industry best practices.

Currently, he chairs the Advisory Council for AfICTA, serves as a Principal Consultant at Kontemporary Konsulting Ltd, and acts as an ICT Consultant for Nigeria’s Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.

Through these positions, Dr. Olufuye actively contributes to the future of digital development, cybersecurity, and ICT innovation.

His unwavering commitment to digital inclusion, cybersecurity, and innovation continues to inspire a new generation of professionals, laying a crucial foundation for future leaders and innovators.

The Lead Consulting Strategist, DigitalSENSE Africa and Group Executive Editor, ITREALMS Media, Ogbuefi Remmy Nweke revealed this and said that the upcoming Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) holding on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the prestigious Welcome Centre Hotels, MM International Airport Road, Lagos.

He also listed the likes of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, Internet Society Nigeria chapter, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), among other stakeholders drumming support.

Nweke also revealed that the chairperson of AFRALO, Hadia Elminiawi is expected to address stakeholders at the 2025 NDSF on the theme ‘Global Digital Compact: Opportunities for Multi-stakeholders in Nigeria.’

Also, he said the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida will be giving a keynote on ‘Global Digital Compact: Opportunities for Multi-stakeholders in Nigeria, via Telecoms,’ while the Managing Director, IXPN, Mr. Muhammed Rudman, the chairman, ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo and President, ISOC Nigeria Chapter, Engr. Kunle Olorundare, would be dissecting the role of stakeholders on the overarching theme.

This 2025 edition of Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum, Nweke said, would be chaired by the former President, Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria and Principal Consultant, Kontemporary Konsulting Ltd, Jimson Olufuye, who is currently, serving as a member, UN Secretary-General’s IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG).

Further, he revealed that there will be a public presentation of his latest book, The Village Priest.

The Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum, he said, has been motivating public discourse since 2009 and creates awareness on the technological cum business benefits of rapidly advancing technologies capable of impacting on Internet Governance, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and domain name industry, access and affordability, their effects on current state of the eco-system as well as offering a first-class platform for industry networking.

They also noted that 5G technology has enhanced capabilities that will provide superior communications services for the socio-economic development of Nigeria and facilitate attainment of a national digital economy.

Speakers at the 2023 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum (NDSF) on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) with the theme “5G Data Governance, Safety and Security in Nigeria,” organised by ITRealms Media Group, made these assertions.

Leading expert speakers at the forum in his keynote, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta said that data is critical to the digital economy, and assured that NCC is building robust legal frameworks for data governance.

“As we embrace the transformative potential of 5G, we must also prioritize safety concerns,” he asserted.

Danbatta, who was represented by the Head of New Media, NCC, Dr. Chidi Diugwu, said that the amount and speed of data generated using 5G technology is unprecedented and beckoned on citizens to embrace it and use it to the fullest.

As such, he pointed out the need to always prioritize consumer privacy, transparency and ethical data use. Maintaining that by cultivating trust and handling data responsibly, would unlock the full potentials of 5G technology and promote innovation in Nigeria.

“To ensure the security and protection of networks and consumers, the Nigerian Communications Act mandates its licensees to prevent their network facilities or services from being used in, or in relation to, the commission of any offence under any law in operation in Nigeria. In this regard, licensees are required to assist the Commission and other Law Enforcement Agencies in preventing crime in Nigeria,” he said.

The chairman of 2023 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum (NDSF) and President, Computer Society of Nigeria (NCS), Prof. Simon Adesina Sodiya, said the internet is a global connection of networks, that provides opportunity for people to share information in order to connect to one another.

Also, Sodiya said, the internet is like an open space, which any body could use for communication, connection, sharing resources, hence most organisations, individuals are connected to internet.

On the internet, Sodiya explained that the importance of data security and governance cannot be over emphasized, thus the essence to come up with guidelines, procedures, rules, for realistic usage of internet.

“It will not be done by government alone, it is multi-stakeholders efforts, which include government agencies, civil society organisations, individuals, and ICT professionals among others,” Sodiya said.

The chairman of 2023 NDSF equally noted that internet governance is very important because there are lots of criminal activities going on in the internet, however people who fall victims are not aware of these cyber criminals.

“Apart from criminal activities, we should not forget that our children are in schools and have been given opportunity to use internet. They should use it for something meaningful that will develop their life positively and not negative aspects. For instance, I have seen a father who said he found his 12-year old child watching porn videos,” he said.

What government needed to do, according to Prof Sodiya is to educate parents on how to provide use of internet for their children. Advising that parents should block some aspects of internet that might endanger the life of their children.

The Business Development Executive, Wizzhub Technology Limited, Mr. Uzor Francis, said he educated participants on benefits of 5G, such as speed carrying capacity, how much integral benefits and inter-connectivity of the devices that internet offers, as 5G enables most of these things.

About challenges of 5G, especially on security, Uzor said that will require enlightened participants on some of the measures, urging Nigerians to mitigate the challenges they may face while using 5G mobile services.

“It is important that 5G goes round not only to the cities but also in the villages so that everybody has access to it, to enhance connectivity for communications through the internet,” he said.

Uzor decried some myths and misconceptions about 5G that it causes virus such as COVID-19, pandemic, which is not true, therefore Nigerians should adopt it because 5G is fast and safe.

Mr. Olatunji Igbalajobi, the Principal Consultant, CyberCode Limited, in his contribution said 5G technology has come to stay in Nigeria to enhance internet connectivity and encourage development.

Nigeria, as a country, he said, needs to get it right in terms of data governance, and urged government at all levels to act fast to ensure relevant structures are in place to ensure data governance and safety.

Earlier while welcoming participants, the Lead Consulting Strategist at DigitalSENSE Africa and Group Executive Editor, ITREALMS Media Group, Mr. Remmy Nweke, noted that 5G mobile network is a new global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G respectively.

Nweke highlighted that 5G enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects and devices.

5G wireless technology, Nweke said is meant to deliver higher multi-Giga bits per second (Gbps), peak data speeds, ultra-low latency, more users, higher performance and improved efficiency thereby empowering new user experiences and connecting new industries.

He recalled that DigitalSENSE Africa is a certified At-Large Structure (ALS) by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and powered by ITREALMS Media group, while NDSF was hosted in collaboration with the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) among stakeholders in the country.

Nweke commended NCC, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), FirstBank, Nigeria LNG Limited, WizzHub Technologies, D|NS Women Nigeria and a host of other stakeholders for partnering with this 14th edition of NDSF series.

Further, he applauded the speakers faculty for the 2023 NDSF including the President, Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Ms Maureen Chigbo; Executive Director, Domain Name System Women (DNS Women Nigeria), Mrs Nkem Nweke and Ms Tinuade Oguntuyi of Internet Society (ISOC Nigeria) and assured that next edition will be an exciting session.